Stroopwafels and Street Canals Past Review
By A student (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 01/26/2016 to 05/28/2016 with
IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities
I gained more independence, willingness to accept and overcome challenges, and a more global perspective. It was definitely worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Extremely challenging but extremely rewarding |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very supportive and always willing to answer questions/provide help with most situations |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Dorm style - not ideal but secure and safe, as well as in a great location. |
| * Food: |
Expensive to go out to eat, but groceries are quite inexpensive and high quality. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Cultural integration was not difficult to achieve, merely take as stroll through the city! Social integration was trickier with Dutch students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No experience with healthcare, but from their description it would be fairly difficult to access a doctor. |
| * Safety: |
One of the safest cities on the planet! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IES Amsterdam provided challenging academics, cultural and social emersion, and travel opportunities, which all came together to make a very well-rounded and enriching experience. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20-30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If possible, try to buy groceries and make your own food. That way I was able to save the majority of my money for travel and other activities. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would have liked to know that even though it sounds like an eternity, 5 months can slip away from you faster than you anticipate. It's important to make each day count! |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
